Meet the Contestants of Top Chef: Washington DC!

The moment you've all been waiting for is here: the seventh season of Top Chef begins tonight, at the earlier hour of 9 p.m. This time around, the drama will unfold at the nation's capital in Washington DC, where an incredibly diverse bunch of 17 chefs will face off for the coveted title. Guest judges include, among others, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and White House chef Sam Kass. For a preview of the competition to come, keep reading.